June 09, 2026 - 176 views
More than 400 workers at a leading North Wales defence technology manufacturer are set to walk out later this month in a dispute over pay.
Members of Unite and GMB at Qioptiq Teledyne in St Asaph will take strike action from June 16 to June 19 after rejecting what unions describe as an inadequate three per cent pay offer.
The dispute involves highly skilled workers employed in the production of advanced optical and electronic systems used by the UK military and international defence customers. Products manufactured at the Denbighshire site include avionic displays for fighter pilot helmets, night vision technology, laser systems and sophisticated optics used in aerospace and defence applications.
Qioptiq is part of the wider Teledyne Technologies group, a major US-headquartered technology company operating across the defence, aerospace, digital imaging and engineering sectors. The St Asaph facility has long been regarded as one of North Wales’ most significant high-tech manufacturing employers and plays an important role in the UK’s defence supply chain.
Unite says the company has refused to improve its three per cent offer despite negotiations involving both recognised trade unions.
The union argues workers deserve a larger increase, particularly given the company’s reported profitability and the specialist nature of the work undertaken at the site.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a dispute entirely of the making of Qioptiq. They can easily afford a fair pay increase for their skilled and valuable workforce who are the ones helping to make these profits.
“Instead, the company has dug its heels in and refused to meaningfully negotiate in good faith. Unite will not stand for such behaviour and workers will now be heading for the picket line with the full support of their union.”
Unite regional officer Jono Davies added that workers felt their contribution had not been properly recognised.
“Qioptiq’s behaviour has been disgraceful – to date it has failed to engage in reasonable negotiations and having massively undervalued its workers, they will now reap the result,” he said.
“It is not too late to avert this strike but Qioptiq now need to come back with a serious pay offer that demonstrates they understand the hard work of their employees.”
The action comes at a time when Britain’s defence manufacturing sector is experiencing strong demand, driven by increased military spending in the UK and across NATO countries. Demand for advanced optics, surveillance systems, targeting technology and night vision equipment has risen significantly in recent years as governments respond to growing international security concerns.
While unions point to the company’s reported profits and strong market conditions, employers in the defence and advanced manufacturing sectors often argue that pay awards must be balanced against rising operating costs, long-term investment requirements and the need to remain competitive in international markets.
At the time of writing, Qioptiq Teledyne had not publicly responded to the unions’ latest claims or commented on the planned strike action.
Should the four-day walkout proceed, it could affect production at one of Wales’ most strategically important advanced manufacturing sites, although the full impact on operations remains unclear.
The dispute follows a series of industrial actions across the UK’s manufacturing sector in recent years as workers seek wage increases that keep pace with living costs and reflect the value of specialist technical skills.
Union leaders say they remain willing to continue discussions if the company returns with an improved offer before the planned strike dates.
